System, method and apparatus for connecting containers

ABSTRACT

An apparatus comprising a first container and a second container each comprising an engagement member having coupling members embodied therein for pivotally coupling the first container and the second container. An apparatus further comprising a first container, a second container, and a double coupler utilizing the double coupler to pivotally couple the first container and the second container.

BACKGROUND

Containers are often used to hold food or drink. A person will generally use separate containers for holding different kinds of food and drink. Although it can be burdensome if no tables are present to put containers down on, people endeavor to eat and drink out of several containers simultaneously. A person may need to put one container down before engaging with another container. Moreover, mobility is limited when a person's hands are full with containers. Not only is a person limited in what activities he or she may pursue, but he or she is also faced with the risk of spilling the contents while moving.

SUMMARY

Described is an apparatus for pivotally connecting containers using engagement members. An apparatus comprises a first container comprising a first engagement member and a second container comprising a second engagement member. The two containers are connected using engagement members via coupling members comprised therein. The coupling members enable the first container to pivot with respect to the second container.

In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a first container, a second container and a double coupler for coupling the first container and the second container. The first container comprises a first engagement member and the second container comprises a second engagement member. The double coupler may comprise two male coupling members to couple with a first female coupling member on the first engagement member of the first container and a second female coupling member on the second engagement member of the second container. The coupling members enable the first container to pivot with respect to the second container.

In a further embodiment, the apparatus comprises a first container, a second container and a double coupler for coupling the first container and the second container. The first container comprises a first engagement member and the second container comprises a second engagement member. The double coupler may comprise two female coupling members to couple with a first male coupling member on the first engagement member of the first container and a second male coupling member on the second engagement member of the second container. The engagement members enable the first container to pivot with respect to the second container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment comprising a first container and a second container coupled via respective engagement members.

FIG. 2 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1 illustrating the coupling of the first container and the second container.

FIG. 3A shows a partial rotation of a first container with respect to a second container in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3B shows a full rotation of a first container with respect to a second container in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment comprising a first container, a second container and a double coupler.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 4 illustrating the coupling of the first container and the second container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention may be further understood with reference to the following description and the appended drawings, wherein like elements are provided with the same reference numerals. The exemplary embodiments show a system, method and apparatus to pivotally connect containers using engagement members having coupling members embodied therein. The coupling members pivotally couple the containers allowing rotation of containers with respect to each other.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary apparatus 100 with a first container 102 and a second container 104. The first container 102 and the second container 104 both comprise a bottom surface, a side surface, and an open top. In FIG. 1, the first container 102 and the second container 104 are shown as having a circular bottom surface and a cylindrical side surface rising therefrom. However, such examples are not intended to limit the invention in any way. For example, the bottom surface for either container 102, 104 may be an oval, a polygon, etc. The side surface for either container 102, 104 may be flat, curved, or irregularly shaped. Both containers 102, 104 are shown as having an open top but either container may comprise a lid that fully closes or partially closes the container 102, 104. The first container 102 and the second container 104 need not be of the same shape or composition. For example, the first container 102 may have a circular bottom while the second container 104 may have a square bottom. The first container 102 may be made of glass whereas the second container 104 is made of plastic, ceramic, metal, paper or any other suitable material for manufacturing a container. Either container 102, 104 may optionally comprise a handle without affecting the functionality described herein.

The first container 102 comprises a first engagement member 106. The first engagement member 106 may be molded onto the container 102 during the manufacturing process or subsequently attached to the container 102 by any known means, such as screwing, clipping, gluing using any suitable adhesive, etc. The first engagement member 106 may comprise, without limitation, a male coupling member or a female coupling member. In FIG. 1, the first engagement member 106 is shown as comprising a female coupling member.

The second container 104 comprises a second engagement member 108. The second engagement member 108 may be molded onto the container 104 during the manufacturing process or subsequently attached to the container 104 in the same manners as described above for the first engagement member 106. The second engagement member 108 may comprise, without limitation, a male coupling member or a female coupling member. In FIG. 1, the second engagement member 108 is shown as comprising a male coupling member.

FIG. 1 is not intended to limit either engagement member 106, 108 to comprising a male or female coupling member. Any similar suitable coupling members such as nuts, bolts, screws, clips, hooks, and snap fasteners may be used without departing from the spirit or scope of the exemplary embodiments.

It should be noted that the containers 102, 104 may comprise a shape such that when connected via the engagement members 106, 108, the bottom surfaces of the containers 102, 104 may be aligned on the same plane so that the containers 102, 104 may be placed on a flat surface, such as a table, and the bottoms will lay flat providing stability. However, the bottom surfaces aligning in the same plane is not a requirement and it is also possible that the bottom surfaces of the containers 102, 104 may be angled with respect to each other such that the bottom surfaces lie in intersecting planes.

The first container 102 and second container 104 are connected via the coupling members. For example, a male coupling member from the second engagement member 108 may be inserted into a female coupling member of the first engagement member 106. FIG. 2 shows a detailed vertical cross-sectional view of such embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows an apparatus 200 with a first container 202 and a second container 204. The first container 202 comprises a first engagement member 206 and the second container 204 comprises a second engagement member 208. In FIG. 2, a male coupling member of the second engagement member 208 is inserted into and rests on a female coupling member of the first engagement member 206. In FIG. 2, the engagement members 206, 208 are securely locked together using the respective male and female coupling members and are prevented from any unintended detachment. It should be noted that in FIG. 2, the engagement members 206, 208 are shown as penetrating the inner wall of the corresponding container 202, 204. Those skilled in the art will understand that this is merely shown to illustrate the connection between the engagement members 206 and 208. While it is possible for portions of the engagement members 206 or 208 to penetrate the inner wall of the containers 202, 204, a more optimal design results in a continuous inner wall so that fluid or other contents of the containers is less likely to leak out of the containers 202, 204.

In both FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the first engagement member 106, 206 of the first container 102, 202 and the second engagement member 108, 208 of the second container 104, 204 are coupled using respective coupling members. Such coupling allows the first container to pivot with respect to the second container, and vice versa. This may be achieved by, for example, a female engagement member comprising a circular hole, which completely embraces a cylindrical male coupling member. In such a configuration, the male coupling member would fit, rest, and rotate within the female coupling member.

In another example, a male coupling member of the first engagement member may be screwed into a female coupling member of the second engagement member. Such a configuration resembles a nut and bolt arrangement. When the male coupling member is fully screwed into the female coupling member, the coupling members may rotate with respect to each other. These examples are not meant to limit the exemplary embodiments in any way and any coupling method that allows a freedom of rotation may be utilized without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiments.

The apparatus shown in either FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 allows one container to pivot while the other container maintains a balanced level position. As such, if a first container 102, 202 is holding food and a second container 104, 204 is holding liquid, a person may drink from the second container 104, 204 without putting the first container 102, 202 down and without spilling the contents in the first container 102, 202. When the person drinks from the second container 104, 204, the first container 102, 202, by force of gravity, maintains a substantially level position. The coupling of the containers allows the person to hold two containers with one hand.

FIG. 3A shows an exemplary apparatus 300 with a first container 302 and a second container 304. The first container 302 comprises a first engagement member 306 and the second container 304 comprises a second engagement member 308. In FIG. 3A, the first engagement member further comprises a female coupling member and the second engagement member further comprises a male coupling member. The first container 302 and the second container 304 are pivotally connected using the coupling members in the same manner as described above with respect to the apparatuses 100 and 200 of FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively.

FIG. 3A also shows an axis of rotation 310 for the exemplary embodiment. For efficient pivotal motion, the axis of rotation 310 is parallel to the bottom surface 312 of the second container 304. When a side surface of a container is perpendicular to the bottom surface, the axis of rotation 310 is perpendicular to the side surface. However, when a side surface of a container is not perpendicular to the bottom surface, the engagement member and the coupling member therein must be properly adjusted to ensure that the axis of rotation is parallel to the bottom surface.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, a each of the containers 302 and 304 may comprise a circular open top that is larger in area than the bottom surface. The side surface therefore rises from the bottom surface at an angle that is greater than 90°. For containers having a slanted side surface, the engagement member or the coupling member therein must be adjusted appropriately to compensate for the slant. For example, the engagement member may be shaped to compensate for the slant or the coupling member may protrude at an angle to compensate for the slant.

FIG. 3B also shows the exemplary embodiment 300 wherein the axis of rotation 310 of the apparatus is parallel to the bottom surface of the first container 302 and the bottom surface of the second container 304. For example, since both the first container 302 and the second container 304 comprise a slanted side surface, the male coupling member protrudes at an appropriate angle from the second container 304 and is coupled with the female coupling member resting on the first container 302 also at an appropriate angle.

FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary embodiment wherein an apparatus 400 comprises a first container 402 and a second container 404. The first container 402 comprises a first engagement member 406 and the second container 404 comprises a second engagement member 408. In some embodiments, the first engagement member 406 and the second engagement member 408 may be identical in shape, size or composition while in other embodiments, the engagement members are of different shape, size or composition.

The apparatus 400 further comprises a double coupler 410. The double coupler comprises two coupling members 412 and 414, arranged on opposite sides of the double coupler 410. If both coupling members 412, 414 of the double coupler 410 are female coupling members, the first female coupling member 412 couples with a male coupling member of the first engagement member 406 and the second female coupling member 414 couples with a male coupling member of the second engagement member 408. If both coupling members 412, 414 of the double coupler 410 are male coupling members, the first male coupling member 412 couples with a female coupling member of the first engagement member 406 and the second male coupling member 414 couples with a female coupling member of the second engagement member 408. If the double coupler comprises one male coupling member and one female coupling member, the male coupling member couples with a female coupling member on the first engagement member 406 and the female coupling member couples with a male coupling member on the second engagement member 408.

The double coupler 410 locks securely with the engagement members 406 and 408 and prevents any unintended detachment. Once the first container 402, the second container 404 and the double coupler 410 are securely coupled, the containers may pivot with respect to the each other. FIG. 5 shows a detailed vertical cross-sectional view of such an embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows an apparatus 500 comprising a first container 502, a second container 504 and a double coupler 510. In FIG. 5, two female coupling members from the double coupler 510 completely embrace two male coupling members from engagement members 506 and 508. In FIG. 5, the male coupling members rotate freely within the female coupling members allowing one container to rotate freely with respect to the coupler while the other container maintains a leveled position.

In any one of the preceding embodiments, placement of the engagement member on each container may be in the upper half of the respective side surfaces. Higher placement of the engagement member provides higher stability. Height of the engagement member in each container need not be identical to be in accordance with the scope of the exemplary embodiments. In one exemplary embodiment, the height of the engagement members may be based on the center of gravity of the containers, e.g., the engagement members are placed above the center of gravity. This placement with respect to the center of gravity allows the containers to continuously be oriented in a manner to prevent contents from spilling from the containers when a user is holding the other connected container.

In any one of the apparatus shown above, a third container may be additionally coupled utilizing any one method described above. For example, a first container may be coupled to a second container utilizing an engagement member on the first container comprising a male coupling member and a first engagement member on the second container comprising a female coupling member. The second container may be coupled to a third container utilizing a second engagement member on the second container comprising a second female coupling member and an engagement member on the third container comprising a male coupling member. In another example, two double couplers may be used to couple three containers.

Although the exemplary embodiments and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alterations of the exemplary embodiments can be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Some of these have been discussed above and others will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 

1. An apparatus comprising: a first container comprising a first bottom surface and a first side surface rising from the first bottom surface; and a second container comprising a second bottom surface and a second side surface rising from the second bottom surface; wherein the first container and the second container are pivotally coupled.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first container pivots with respect to the second container along an axis of rotation that is parallel to at least one of the bottom surfaces.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first container further comprises a first engagement member on the first side surface and the second container further comprises a second engagement member on the second side surface.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the engagement members are located at a height that is one of greater than at least the upper half of the respective side surfaces or greater than the center of gravity of the respective container.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the first engagement member further comprises a first coupling member and the second engagement member further comprises a second coupling member.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein at least one of the side surfaces is slanted and at least one of the respective engagement members or the coupling members is adjusted to compensate for the slant.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the first coupling member is a female coupling member and the second coupling member is a male coupling member.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the male coupling member securely locks with the female coupling member and the male coupling member pivots with respect to the female coupling member.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the male coupling member is screwed into the female coupling member and at least one of the coupling members pivots with respect to the respective engagement members.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the male coupling member is clipped to the female coupling member and at least one of the coupling members pivots with respect to the respective engagement members.
 11. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the male coupling member is hooked onto the female coupling member and at least one of the coupling members pivots with respect to the respective engagement members.
 12. An apparatus comprising: a first container comprising a first bottom surface and a first side surface rising from the first bottom surface; a second container comprising a second bottom surface and a second side surface rising from the second bottom surface; and a double coupler; wherein the double coupler pivotally couples the first container and the second container.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein at least one of the containers pivots with respect to the double coupler along an axis of rotation that is parallel to at least one of the bottom surfaces.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first container comprises a first engagement member further comprising a first coupling member, the second container comprises a second engagement member further comprising a second coupling member and the double coupler comprises a third coupling member and a fourth coupling member.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the first coupling member couples with the third coupling member and the second coupling member couples with the fourth coupling member.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein at least one of the couplings allows respective containers to pivot with respect to the double coupler.
 17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the engagement members are located at a height that is greater than at least the upper half of the respective side surfaces.
 18. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the first and second coupling members are male coupling members and the third and fourth coupling members are female coupling members.
 19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the first and second coupling members are female coupling members and the third and fourth coupling members are male coupling members.
 20. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein at least one of the first and second coupling members is a male coupling member and at least one of the third and fourth coupling members is a female coupling member. 